What attachment do I need, box blade?

[missesalot]

Hey all,
I have a couple jobs I'd like to do with my tractor and I'm wondering which attachment would be best. The tractor is a New Holland TC45d. The first job is to smooth the soil around a new barn, its badly rutted, has some issues with drainage that I'm working on, and i need to get it prepped for planting grass. Also, I have a bunch of trails that have a lot of high spots and low spots that I'd like to get straightened out. So far I've gotten the advice of a box blade, but most of the applications I see for those seem to be focused on things like gravel driveways, so I'm not sure if its the right thing. I have a FEL backhoe for the rougher end of the jobs in both cases. Have always gotten good advice here so figured I'd ask your advice.

 

[Thomas]

Rake with drop down grader blade might come in handy.

 

[jeff9366]

New Holland TC45 - dimensions

2001 - 2003 Boomer TC Series
Compact Utility tractor
Next model: New Holland TC45A
Series back: New Holland TC40

Dimensions:
TC45 2WD Weight (shipping): 3,200 lbs [1451 kg]
TC45 4WD Weight (shipping): 3,349 lbs [1519 kg]
TC45D 4WD Weight (shipping): 3,417 lbs [1549 kg]
TC45D SuperSteer Weight (shipping): 3,586 lbs [1626 kg]
Wheelbase: 73.5 inches [186 cm]
SuperSteer Wheelbase: 81 inches [205 cm]
Length: 125.2 inches [318 cm]
SuperSteer Length: 129.6 inches [329 cm]
Width: 61.3 inches [155 cm]
Height (ROPS): 95 inches [241 cm]
Ground clearance: 14 inches [35 cm]
Front tread: 46.4 inches [117 cm]
Rear tread: 47.5 inches [120 cm]

 

[jeff9366]

Box Blade is a good implement if dirt is loose. More of a learning curve than you would expect.

As you have a Backhoe, perhaps the best of all counterbalances for FEL work, consider a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment in parallel with a Box Blade.

Much cheaper and intuitive in operation, relative to a Box Blade. Can rake off sod, which a Box Blade is less adept at. No need to remove the Backhoe. Minimal storage issues.

VIDEO: RATCHET RAKE GRADING - YouTube

WEB SITE: Ratchet Rake, LLC - All Terrain Rake, Bucket attachment, Loader, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction attachment, New Holland, Fire safety, Home fire safety, Fire prevention, tractor implement

 

[missesalot]

are the ratchet rakes really that good? I've seen these before and have been interested.

 

[jeff9366]

Ratchet Rake: Ratchet Rake site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[jjp8182]

As already noted the FEL bucket would work, and a box blade would as well.

The box blade (if equipped with rippers and of sufficient weight) actually works pretty well on all soil, though doing fine work with manual linkage adjustments can become rather time consuming. Personally I think box blades tend to really shine when using them for rough work as I've used mine to clear small areas (i.e. ~3/4 acre) of brush, weeds and small trees. Took the one area from fairly thick vegetation over 6 feet tall, back to bare dirt and then did some rough leveling to drag the soil from high spots into lower areas. Clearing that site was actually a rather fun job as I was getting rolling bales of ripped out vegetation that were lifting a 660lb box blade off the ground.

For finer work I'd second the grader blade as it allows for greater/faster side to side movement of the soil when angled, and if paired with a rear-wheel can be made to function similar to a motor/road grader. However, unless paired with a scarifier the blade alone may not be able to break lose soil (depending on soil type, moisture content, vegetation cover and implement weight per working width).

So I guess my thinking would be best summarized as:
- box blades (with rippers) are good for ripping soil, and moving it forward/backward (to include making ditches/slopes directly behind a tractor) while getting some side to side movement that can fill in low spots,
- grader/rear blades tend to be better for moving loose soil from side to side, and doing finer leveling given the additional angling of the cutting edge that can be done (especially if paired with a real wheel), but it may need something else to loosen the soil first.
- a loader bucket can do almost all of it if the worksite can be approached from the angle(s) needed.

Personally I've filled in and leveled more than a few low spots in my yard by doing nothing more than back dragging the loader bucket over some soil/compost/manure scooped up from other areas -- or just using the soil (potentially loosened) that was already there in the case of ruts.

So depending on the constraints and what criteria is included in "best" any of the above (and some others) would work.

 

[oosik]

You might also consider a land plane grading scraper with rippers. Almost zero learning curve. Just hook to your 3-point and go. The rippers would break up any compacted soil.

 

[PaxMan]

You might also consider a land plane grading scraper with rippers. Almost zero learning curve. Just hook to your 3-point and go. The rippers would break up any compacted soil.

I'll second the land plane. I've spent thousands of hours using box scrapers and blades and just bought my first land plane this spring. I'll say one thing. I've spent way too much time using box scrapers and blades to level areas off. My goto now is the land plane. You can't beat them. Mine also has the scarifiers.

 

[oosik]

I have almost EVERY basic implement for maintenance of my mile long gravel driveway. 1100 pound Rhino 950 rear blade - Bush Hog 720 roll over box blade( ROBB) @ 720 pounds - Land Pride land plane grading scraper(LPGS) GS2584 @ 796 pounds. Each has its advantages and shortcomings.

The rear blade will maintain my driveway ditches and plow snow. It has a looooong learning curve when used to level and/or smooth anything.

The ROBB is very similar to the rear blade, except - it will easily move material from here to there. It will not plow snow, it will not maintain the driveway ditches.

My LPGS will smooth out the washboard and does fair job scarifying and repairing potholes. The LPGS will not maintain the driveway ditches nor plow snow.

If I HAD to choose one - - it would have to be the Rhino rear blade. It is the most universal of the three and with a lot of "doofing around" will repair potholes and move soil from here to there. Also, one of its major jobs is plowing snow on my driveway.